Orem man accused of 350 incidents of sex abuse

Orem man accused of 350 incidents of sex abuse

(Utah County Jail)


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OREM — An Orem man was arrested Sunday after police say he sexually abused a teenage girl about 350 times over the span of four years.

Michael Lee Christen, 52, was booked into the Utah County Jail Sunday for investigation of sexual abuse of a child, unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old, forcible sodomy, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession or use of a controlled substance.

A woman reported that her 17-year-old sister told her she had been abused by Christen for the past four years, a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court states.

Christen had been dating the girl's mother for years, the teen told police. She said the abuse began in 2010 when she was 13, and started with inappropriate touching over her clothing.

For the first three years, the girl said the conduct was limited to oral sex, but escalated to sexual intercourse in early 2013. She reported that the abuse occurred once or twice a week, but occasionally a week would pass without any abuse, the affidavit states.

"Based on the time frame and frequency provided by (the teenager), incidents of sexual abuse would be near 400 total," according to the police affidavit. "(She) estimated the total number of incidents was likely closer to 350."

The girl told police about other incidents of alleged neglect and drug abuse on the part of both her mother and Christen. She said the two used methamphetamine and investigators located drugs and a glass pipe at the home.

Christen admitted to using methamphetamine but denied the sexual abuse allegations, the police affidavit states. The girl's mother told police she had suspicions about the abuse, had confronted Christen, but he denied the allegations.

No charges had been filed against Christen Monday.

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